Program Course Requirements

    • Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    • Program in Biomathematics and Biostatistics
    • Program in Cancer Biology
    • Program in Cell and Regulatory Biology
    • Program in Experimental Therapeutics
    • Program in Genes and Development
    • Program in Human and Molecular Genetics
    • Program in Immunology
    • Program in Medical Physics
    • Program in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
    • Program in Molecular Carcinogenesis
    • Program in Molecular Pathology
    • Program in Neuroscience
    • Program in Virology and Gene Therapy

Program in Cancer Biology Course Requirements

The Cancer Biology Program conforms to the general GSBS requirements requiring 54 credit hours minimum to include one credit hour of the Ethical Dimensions of the Biomedical Sciences (GS210051), 12 credit hours of Tutorial Research Experience (GS000514), four required GSBS area requirement courses, and a minimum of one year of registration for research which includes Research in Biomedical Sciences (GS000520) and Dissertation for Doctor of Philosophy (GS000920).

GSBS REQUIRED BASIC COURSES

• Quantitative (Choose 1)

  • GS01 1014 Biomedical Statistics
  • GS03 1102 Current Methods in Molecular Research (2 semesters)

• Molecular (Choose 1)

  • GS03 1015 Metabolic Biochemistry
  • GS03 1024 Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

• Cellular (Choose 1)

  • GS04 1133 Cancer Cell Signaling (Recommended)
  • GS04 1013 Cell Biology
  • GS04 1093 The Biology of Cancer Metastasis
  • GS06 1014 Immunology I

• Systems (Choose 1)

  • GS04 1063 Cancer Biology
  • GS04 1083 Basic Concepts of Tumor Biology (UT-Science Park, Smithville, TX)

ALTERNATIVE COURSES

In the event that students can demonstrate previous undergraduate academic experience in one or more of the areas, they may petition to substitute one of the following alternative courses to satisfy an area requirement.

• Molecular
  • GS04 1123 Molecular Biology of Eukaryotic Cells
  • GS04 1113 Molecular Biology of Cancer
    
• Cellular
  • GS11 1023 Molecular and Cellular Approaches to Human Genetics
  • GS12 1063 Histology
  • GS12 1134 Introduction to Histology (UT-Science Park, Smithville, TX)
  • GS14 1103 Advanced Neurobiology: Cellular and Molecular

SEMINAR & ELECTIVE COURSES

6 credit hours required. Students can take 1 course multiple times with the cumulative time counting towards the 6 hour requirement.

• GS04 1173 Current Concepts of Human Cancers
• GS04 1181 The Molecular Basis of Programmed Cell Death
• GS04 1213 Mechanisms in Cancer Therapeutics
• GS04 1612 Selected Topics in Molecular Virology: Gene Therapy and Transgenics
• GS04 1711 Seminar in Virology and Gene Therapy
• GS04 1721 Seminar in Tumar Suppressor Genes
• GS04 1731 Seminar in Developmental Biology
• GS04 1741 Seminar in Applied Oncology Research
• GS04 1751 Seminar in Regulatory Biology
• GS04 1761 Current Topics in Oncogene Research
• GS04 1771 Current Topics in Tumor Progression
• GS04 1791 Current Topics in Programmed Cell Death
• GS04 1801 Current Topics in Genes and Development
• GS04 1812 Seminars in Molecular Mechanisms of Human Cancer
• GS04 1061 Seminar in Cancer Cell Signaling

RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS

Students typically complete three laboratory tutorial research experiences (GS00 1514) their first year of study. The choice of tutorial laboratories is determined by each student. Following these, a student chooses a laboratory in which to undertake thesis research. During this time, an Advisory Committee composed of the student's advisor and four additional faculty members will assist the student in directing his or her research.

CANDIDACY EXAMINATION

All GSBS students must petition to take the oral candidacy examination within three years of admission to the Ph.D. degree program. This examination is designed to ascertain both the student's preparation for investigation of a specific research problem, and the extent of knowledge in pertinent and related areas of biomedical science. It is administered by the student's Candidacy Examination Committee, and the results of this examination are communicated to both the Executive Committee of the Cancer Biology Program and the GSBS.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

There is no formal teaching requirement for students in the Cancer Biology Program. Recently, the GSBS has initiated a Teaching Assistant Program where students are selected to assist in certain core courses. The teaching experience will vary from course to course, but it can include formal classroom teaching. Additional opportunities for teaching may be obtained through arrangement with individual course instructors.